Pupils urged to leave lessons

School pupils across London will be encouraged to walk out of lessons and join a mass lobby of Parliament as part of the continuing campaign against war in Iraq.

School pupils across London will be encouraged to walk out of lessons and join a mass lobby of Parliament as part of the continuing campaign against war in Iraq.

The Stop the War Coalition says last Saturday's historic march, when at least a million people took to the streets, has galvanised the movement.

Further regional protests are being organised, with a demonstration in Manchester next month expected to attract 50,000 people, and plans are being laid for strikes and direct action should a military campaign begin.

"We are talking to trade unions about the possibility of industrial action," a spokesman for the coalition said. "We think the rally in Manchester will be the biggest the city has seen for a long time. We also want to discuss direct action. If war breaks out there will be immense anger.

"The feeling on last week's march was very much like the mass demonstrations in eastern Europe. The left was swamped by moderation and people had a joke and a laugh and a fantastic time together."

Pupils at 20 London schools attended a coordination meeting held by the Stop the War Coalition last week and are planning to walk out of lessons on 5 March to join the National Union of Students in lobbying Parliament.

Helen Salmon, a member of the NUS national executive who is also on the steering committee of the Stop the War Coalition, said: "We're trying to encourage schools, universities and colleges to come out that day. We should be spending the money on education, not on war with Iraq."

On 8 March organisers are expecting 50,000 people to gather for a demonstration, backed by the Stop the War Coalition and Manchester's Labour councillors, starting at three separate points across Greater Manchester and converging in a rally at the city's Albert Square.

Protests are also planned in Bridgend, Nottingham, Sheffield, Wakefield and Sherborne in Dorset on the same day, with protests in Liverpool and Swindon on 1 March.